ENVISAT mission control: An effective evolution from ERS

Andrew Monham   

ESA/ESOC

Abstract:
ENVISAT is ESA's next step in the programme of Earth Observation 
Satellite Missions, following in the footsteps of the successful 
ERS-1 and ERS-2 satellites. ENVISAT was conceived as a significantly 
larger satellite that ERS, enabling not only the continuation and 
enhancement of measurement objectives already made by ERS, but 
allowing the embarkaton of additional instruments with new and 
scientifically important objectives.

ENVISAT, in its 4.5 years of routine operations will produce in the 
order of 700TBytes of raw data. Data and products are required to be 
delivered to users in an operational manner within tight time 
constraints and with high reliability.

The paper shows how the experience from the ERS Programme has led to 
the mission design and operations control approach as it appears 
today. Factors considered include the scope of the mission, the 
onboard / on-ground split of control functions, the mission control 
team preparation level of validation, etc.

It is demonstrated that the tradeoffs between cost and risk which 
dictate the optimal approach to a satellite mission control indicate 
a good efficiency for ENVISAT taking account of its extensive mission 
objective.

The paper concludes that the environmental monitoring objectives 
requiring the acquisition of large quantities of diverse, high 
quality data at high reliability will be effectively and efficiently 
served by the ENVISAT system and its supporting mission control 
philosophy.